Your Guide to The Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin

Having sensitive skin makes finding the perfect sunscreen a challenge. You want a formula that doesn’t make your skin react and that feels nice too. Don’t fret. We’re sharing what you need to know about SPF ingredients so you can easily find the best sunscreens for sensitive skin.

Mineral vs. Synthetic Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin

Mineral sunscreens(often called “physical sunscreens”) list titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as their only active ingredients. Both are incredibly gentle ingredients known to be well suited for sensitive skin. They absorb into the very surface layers of skin where they deflect, scatter, and absorb the sun’s harmful rays. In the past, mineral sunscreen formulas were thick and noticeably opaque, which is why it was tricky to find one that looked and felt good.

Fortunately, modern-day innovations have improved the way mineral sunscreens are formulated so they can have a luxe look and feel. Paula’s Choice Skincare takes advantage of these advances, so we can confidently state that the best mineral sunscreens for sensitive skin include:

Synthetic sunscreens (often called “chemical sunscreens”) also scatter and deflect the sun’s harmful rays, but they work primarily by converting UV rays into heat and “deactivating” them before they can damage your skin. Common synthetic sunscreen ingredients include oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and avobenzone.

It's easier to achieve a lighter-weight feel and imperceptible (no white cast) finish with this type of sunscreen, which is part of the reason they are widely used in SPF products. However, synthetic actives also can trigger sensitising reactions for some people, which is why we (and dermatologists around the world) recommend mineral sunscreens for sensitive skin.

To be clear, synthetic sunscreens are great and many people can use them—they’re just generally not the best bet for sensitive or redness-prone skin.

Why Fragrance-Free Sunscreen Matters for Sensitive Skin

One other important thing to note: Fragrant ingredients are often used to mask the natural smell of sunscreen actives, but that’s bad news for all skin types, especially very sensitive skin. Fragrance ingredients impart their scent through a volatile reaction, which almost always causes a sensitising reaction on skin (whether or not you can see it, it’s happening). In fact, research has established that fragrance in skincare products is among the most common cause of negative skin reactions.

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About the Experts

Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books about skincare and makeup. She is known worldwide as The Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula’s Choice Skincare. Paula’s expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international radio, print, and television including:

The Paula's Choice Research Team is dedicated to busting beauty myths and providing expert advice that solves your skincare frustrations so you can have the best skin of your life!